Dr. Anna E. Ross's Embryology Course:
Dr. Anna E. Ross
Professor of Biology
A.E.R.'s Home Page
Office: S203G 
Phone: 321-3436 
email: aross@cbu.edu
Fall Semester Office Hours: 
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 2:00-4:30 pm.
Additional times by appointment.
Living Xenopus embryos. Fall 2000 Embryology lab. A.E.Ross @ CBU
"There are two names for everything in anatomy, except...  when there are three or more." Dr. T. Meehan
 BIOL 211 - Vertebrate Embryology (Fall 2008) 
Embryology Course Information
  • Lecture Mon., Wed., and Fri. 10:00 in AH122. 

    • Lab Tuesday and Thursday in AH107. 
    Lab Sec. A 9:30-10:55 am.  Lab Sec. B: 11:00-12:25 pm. 
    Lecture and Lab are co-requisites and must be taken concurrently.
    Biol 211 is a Group I Biology Elective. Offered only during the Fall semester.
  • Enrolled students can check their quiz and exam scores using WebCT.
Embryology 2008 Syllabus  MSWord file to download
WebCT logon
 
BIOL 211:  Embryology Home Page Contents
  
33 hr. chick embryo. Stained WM. Photo by Ross @ CBU.
  
Embryology 2008 Syllabus  MSWord file to download
Embryology Lab Oct. 2005 Embryology Lab Oct. 2005 Embryology Lab Oct. 2005
Course Resources are available on \\valhalla\biology  [Restricted to CBU]
  • To use the image files on \\valhalla\biology you will want to use an image browser such as ACDSee (ACDSee is  installed on all the biology lab PC’s).
  • To use \\valhalla\biology 
    • Anyone can access this shared volume from any CBU networked PC on campus that can handle file sharing.  This includes all the PCs in the Computer Center, the Science Building, Buckman, the Library, and Nolan Hall.  A person could also connect to this from their CBU dorm room. 
    • You can access the volume using \\valhalla\biology by logging in with your username and password when logging into windows networking. 
    • Use Windows Explorer (or ACDSee) and look for the Drive listing:  'BIOLOGY on VALHALLAE'.  If it is not listed on the PC you wish to use, then go to Windows Explorer, pull down the menu under Tools. Select Map Network Drive and map a drive to \\valhalla\biology .  (Be sure the "Reconnect at logon" box is checked and you won't have to repeat this step.)
  • What's Available: Open the Resources folder for your Biology course.  Lecture Resources include PowerPoint lecture slides for each course Unit.  Lab Resources include Digital Images and tutorials sorted by lab topic. (Use the ACDSee image browser.)
  • The image files will load quickly from within the CBU Network.  These files are NOT designed to be accessed via modem! 
  • You do not need to save copies of the images or PowerPoint slides!  They will be on \\valhalla\biology the next time you need them.
Embryology Lab Resources & Assignments:
Lab Unit 1

Labs # 1-6

Meiosis
and
Gameto-
genesis

Grasshopper testis A.E.R. @ CBU

Grasshopper testis A.E.R. @ CBU

Grasshopper testis A.E.R. @ CBU

Grasshopper testis A.E.R. @ CBU

 Look at the uoguelph sites... they are great for lab and lecture study!! Meiosis Stages: Answers to Student Questions about Meiosis:
  • What are "Primordial germ cells"?  Primordial germ cells are diploid cells, capable of mitosis, that migrate into the developing gonads (testes or ovaries) and will later give rise to diploid spermatogonia or oogonia.  Primordial germ cells give rise to the germ cell line, the only cells capable of meiosis.  ("Spermatogonia" and "oogonia" are diploid cells of the germ cell line.) 
  • After DNA replication, each chromosome consists of 2 chromatids (sister chromatids).  As an oogonium or spermatogonium prepares for meiosis I, DNA replication occurs during Interphase, before Prophase I.
  • SYNAPSIS is when the 2 members of a homologous pair of chromosomes "come close together."  (Synapsis occurs during Prophase I.) 
  • The processes that reduce the chromosome number are Meiosis I and the cytokinesis at the end of Meiosis I (at/after telophase I).  So, Meiosis I and cytokinesis result in having only one member from each pair of homologous chromosomes in each cell.  The cells produced by Meiosis I are secondary spermatocytes (or, in oogenesis, a secondary oocyte and a polar body.)
  • After DNA replication (during interphase I) up until late Anaphase II (after Meiosis II has separated the centromeres [kinetochores] of the indivdual chromosomes), each chromosome consists of 2 sister chromatids. 
  • So, what is a tetrad and when is it that we have 4 chromatids close together?  Tetrads are present during Meiosis I, particularly during Prophase I (Synapsis).  During Meiosis I, two chromosomes (a homologous pair) find each other.  Since each individual chromosome still has 2 chromatids, the homologous pair close together form a "tetrad" (4 chromatids; but note that a tetrad is actually made up of 2 chromosomes and each chromsome has 2 chromatids joined by a centromere). 
  • Meiosis II makes four spermatids and this is Meiosis II/equational meiosis, right?  Yes, each primary spermatocyte will eventually give rise to 4 spermatids, but as a result of Meiosis II and cytokinesis, each secondary spermatocyte gives rise to two spermatids.
Memory Help:  Events of Prophase I (seen in some Primary Spermatocytes)
  • Leptotene
  • Synaptene (Zygotene)
  • Pachytene
  • Diplotene
  • Diakenesis
 "Let Zebras Play Dominoes Daily"
or "Let Students... "

[Suggested by students in Embryology lab, Fall 2003]
Histology of mammal testis and ovary.
Human oogenesis:
  • "The rise of FSH at the beginning of the cycle induces a cohort of primordial follicles to enter folliculogenesis. Most crap out along the way. From that beginning to the mature or Graafian follicle takes several cycles to complete. The FSH rise in each cycle coaxes along all the follicles that have entered the 'race' toward ovulation. Most become atretic along the way, only one or two being ready (in humans) to be shed in response to the LH surge." Alan Magid, Ph.D.
  • "... around day 7-8 of a given cycle there are usually 7-10 Graafian follicles present, that have been growing for a year.  For reasons that are still up to debate and further research, usually only 1 (but sometimes 2-3) of these Graafian follicles fully matures and is ovulated."  Jason LaPres, M.H.S.
    		•
    Embryology Videos for Lab Unit 1 and Lecture Unit 1
    Human Reproductive System Anatomy, Histology of Testis and Ovary
    (Videos are available in room S216 and may be viewed there or in room S213)
    1. 1.  The Human Reproductive System (Benjamin Cummings)  ~30 min.  Diagrams and cadaver dissections.  The details presented in this video are appropriate for the embryology course.  Male Reproductive System:  Scrotum and testes, Epididymis and ductus deferens, Spermatic cord and inguinal canal, Accessory sex glands, and Penis. Female Reproductive System:  Ovaries, Uterine tube, Uterus and vagina, External genitalia, and Mammary glands. For Lab Unit 1 and Lecture Unit 1.
    2. 2.  Male Reproductive System (Histology series, Vol. 20)  ~30 min.   For Lab Exercise 2.  Know the microscopic anatomy of testis (seminiferous tubules, spermatocytes, sperm, etc.)  For embryology we do not study microscope slides of other male reproductive organs covered on this tape. 
    3. 3.  Ovary and Fallopian Tubes (Histology series, Vol. 21)  ~30 min.   For Lab Exercise 3.  Know the microscopic anatomy of the ovary (follicles, oocytes, etc.).  For embryology we do not study microscope slides of other female reproductive organs covered on this tape.
    4. 4.  Vol. 6 Internal Organs (Acland Human Anatomy Video Series).  For Lab Exercise 2 and 3.  View the sections on male and female reproductive systems (at the end of the tape).  The guide booklet gives exact start and stop times for each section.  This series features superb views of dissected unembalmed human cadavers with excellent camera work.  Anatomical structures are clearly identified and terms appear on the screen.
    5. 5.  The Male Pelvis (Guides to dissection series)  Detailed cadaver dissection.  This tape includes a lot of details you not need to know for the embryology course, but the video does give you excellent views of the process of dissecting a cadaver to reveal many of the reproductive system structures for which you are responsible.
    6. 6.  Inguinal Canal, Spermatic Cord, and Testis  (Guides to dissection series)  Detailed cadaver dissection. This tape includes a lot of details you not need to know for the embryology course, but the video does give you excellent views of the process of dissecting a cadaver to reveal many of the reproductive system structures for which you are responsible.
    7. 7.  The Female Pelvis (Guides to dissection series)  Detailed cadaver dissection. This tape includes a lot of details you not need to know for the embryology course, but the video does give you excellent views of the process of dissecting a cadaver to reveal many of the reproductive system structures for which you are responsible. 
    8. 8.  Frog Embryology:  From egg to tadpole (covers early Xenopus development)
  • Microscope Slide Reminders:
    • READ the labels on the microscope slides! The slide boxes contain many different slides. You need to be certain about which slide you need and what you are supposed to notice on each microscope slide. 
    • Please take only one microscope slide at a time. 
    • Don't park microscope slides on the table tops or in a drawer.
    • Please return microscope slides to the correct box.  Please keep slide boxes in order. You may need to consult your lists of microscope slides (Supplement) to determine where the slides go.
    • Please keep your microscope clean.  Report any damage to slides or scope immediately. 
    Lab Unit 1

    Lab 7
    Starfish gastrula A.E.R. @ CBU
    Lab Unit 1

    Labs 8 & 9

    Frog

    Rana pipiens cleavage from Dr. Wasserman.
    Rana pipiens
    cleavage.
    Source: Dr. John Kimball http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/
    Source: Dr. John Kimball http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/
     
    Lab Unit 2
    4mm Frog

    4mm Frog c.s. - Photo by CBU Biology

    Xenopus A.E.R. @ CBU

    		 Observe the living frog embryos and record your observations on the data form provided in your supplement.

    Web Resources:

     
    Lab Unit 3
    Early Chick
    33 hr Chick WM - Photo by CBU Biology
    33 hr Chick WM - Photo by CBU Biology
    		 Lab Unit 3: Early Chick
    Live Chick Embryo 29 Oct. 2002 (stained with neutral red) AERoss
    • Correction to Schoenwolf: For our purposes, at these early stages of chick development, we'll consider the Sinus Venosus as is an unpaired portion of the Cardiovascular System that is located at the midline.  It receives blood from the paired Vitelline Veins.  (There is a misleading label on one of the 33-hr. c.s. photographs.)
    • Tutorials: Schoenwolf CD  PowerPoint slide tutorials are on \\valhalla\biology.  The tutorials for Lab Exam 3 material are: "Chicken 33-hr (Schoenwolf).ppt"  "18-hr chick (Schoenwolf).ppt" and " 24-hr chick (Schoenwolf).ppt"
    A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg.
      -- Samuel Butler Life and Habit (1877)
     
    Lab Unit 4
    48 hr. Chick
    & Live Chick

    Live Chick Embryo 31 Oct 2000 (stained with neutral red) AERoss
    Live Chick Embryo 31 Oct 2000 (unstained) AERoss
    Embryo Lab 1 Nov 2005

    		 Lab Unit 4: 48 hr. Chick & Live Chick Embryos
    • Correction to Schoenwolf: Page 121 Fig. 3.85  Label #14 (should be #12).  The #14 line is pointing to one of the paired Precardinal Veins NOT to one of the paired Dorsal Aortae.
    Embryo Lab 1 Nov 2005Live Chick Embryo 29 Oct 2002 (stained with neutral red)Embryo Lab 1 Nov 2005
    Stained chick embryo AERossLive Chick Embryo 31 Oct 2000 (stained with neutral red) AERossLive Chick Embryo 31 Oct 2000 (stained with neutral red) AERossUnstained live chick embryo 7 Nov 2000 AERoss
     
    Lab Unit 5
    10 mm Pig
     
     

    Model of human embryo at 4 weeks of development
     
     

    10mm preserved pig embryo ready for dissection (A. E. Ross)
     
     

    40mm preserved pig embryo during dissection (A. E. Ross)
     
     

    Young pigs

    		 Lab Unit 5: 10 mm Pig

    Web Resources

    Unit 5 Lab Materials:
    • Preserved Specimens for Dissection (first lab session, Unit 5) 
    • Demonstration Materials: 

      • Preserved mammal embryos (including human)
    • Models: 

      • Human development models
      Models of human fetus in uterus.
      10 mm pig, whole.
      Turtox 10 mm pig, selected cross sections (with Turtox key card).
    • Images digitized from Filmstrip (Available on \\valhalla\biology) 

      • 10 mm pig [Note sagittal views]
    • Schoenwolf CD  PowerPoint Slide tutorial on \\valhalla\biology. 

      • 10 mm pig [Note: whole mount, sagittal views, and cross sections]
    • Microscope Slides (Embryology Slide Box 2) 

      • Pig embryo, w.m., 4-6 mm or 8-12 mm 
      Pig embryo, 10 mm rep. sag. sec.
      10 mm pig serial c.s. [Complete series]
    • Digitized 35 mm slides: Available on \\valhalla\biology

      • 10 mm pig serial cross sections (several sets: B&W and color)
      Human developmental anatomy slide sets (Carolina) (Biology Media) 

      Q: How many pigs in a litter?  A: It depends on the breed of pig.  But here's an example:  "Current farm data suggests that the herd average for pigs born alive is eleven." Source
       

    • Embryology Lab Exam #5

      • Coverage & Format: Lab Unit 5 material (10 mm pig)
      The usual lab exam format (this lab exam will be from digital images).
      • Date, Time:  TBA 15-19 Dec. 2008 in AH107 (both lab sections together).   (During Final Exam Week)
     
    • READ the labels on the microscope slides! The slide boxes contain many different slides. You need to be certain about which slide you need and what you are supposed to notice on each microscope slide. 
    • Please take only one microscope slide at a time. 

      • Don't park microscope slides on the table tops or in a drawer.
      Please return microscope slides to the correct box.  Please keep slide boxes in order. You may need to consult your lists of microscope slides (Supplement) to determine where the slides go.
    • Please keep your microscope clean. Report any damage to slides or scope immediately. 
    		Embryology Lecture Resources & Assignments:
    Lecture
    Final    		 BIOL 211 Comprehensive Lecture Final
    • Date & Time: TBA, 15-19 Dec. 2008 in AH122 (during Final Exam Week).
    • Format  [~# Points]  [100 Points + 5 Bonus Points]

      • Multicompletion  [12] 
          [Multicompletion Instructions:  Answer A if 1, 2, & 3 are correct; B if 1 & 3; C if 2 & 4; D if 4; E if all are correct]
      Multiple Choice (Type A, choose the one, best answer) [15] 
      Matching (germ layers) [23] 
      Matching (structure ID) [10]
      Matching (structure origin) [18] 
      True/False (0.5 pt. ea.) [27]
    • Coverage: Text Chapter (approx. # points)

      • Ch. 2 (4), Chs. 3&7 (3), Chs. 4&5 (5), Ch. 9 (4), Ch. 10 (8),
      Ch. 11 (3), Ch. 12 (4), Ch. 13 (6), Ch. 14 (9), Ch. 18 (25), Ch. 19 (22), Ch. 20 (12).
    • Your Grade in the Embryology Lecture Course will be calculated as the percent of 640 Total Points you have earned for the semester. (The "total" does not include bonus points, so because of Bonus Points on exams and quizzes, it is possible to have an average greater than 100%!) 

      • In-class Lecture Quizzes #1-7 total 40 points 
        [Quiz #8 is a Bonus Quiz, add this score to your lecture points earned]
      Five 5-point WebCT Unit quizzes (max 25 Bonus Points)
      Lecture Exams #1-5 total 500 points
      Comprehensive Lecture Final = 100 points. 
    • Your Grade in the Embryology Lab course will be calculated as the percent of 500 Total Points you have earned for the semester. (The lab "total" does not include bonus points included on each lab exam.) 

      • Lab Exams 1-5 @ 100 points each total 500 points.
    • Grading Scale for Lecture and Lab: 

      • A = 100-90.0 %  [and, of course, >100 % = A]
      B = 89.9-80.0 %
      C = 79.9-70.0 %
      D = 69.9-60.0 %
    • All evaluation opportunities for the lecture and lab courses are listed above and are equally available to each student.  In order to be fair to all students, there will be no last-minute "extra credit."
     
    Lecture
    Unit 5    		 Lecture Unit 5: Dig. Sys., Resp. Sys., Coelom & Mesenteries, Branchial arches, and UG Sys.
     
  • Current, full size slides are on \\valhalla\biology

    •  
  • Bonus Lecture Quiz  (Lecture Quiz #8). 
  • Maximum of 5 or 6 Bonus Points added  to your Lecture Exam and Quiz total points. 
      • Topics:  Digestive System Development and Anatomy
      Format:  50% Diagrams to label; 50% Fill-in-the-blank questions. 
      Date:  TBA.
  • Lecture Exam 5 Format & Coverage:  See Lecture Slides for Unit 5 (in Supplement and on \\valhalla\biology).

    •  

     

    Web Sites for Unit 5

  • Embryology Final Exam 
    		•
     
    Lecture
    Unit 4    		 Lecture Unit 4: Sense organs, Integument, Circulatory sys.
    • Lecture Quiz 7: Topics = Sense organs (including inner and middle ear), Integument (including tooth development).  Detailed diagrams to label.  [10 points]
    • Lecture slides are on WebCT and  \\valhalla\biology
    Web Sites on Unit 4 Topics
     
    Lecture
    Unit 3    		 Lecture Unit 3: Nervous System

    Lecture Quizzes for Unit 3

    • Lecture Quiz #5: Nervous System

      • Topics: First 4 lecture on this unit (lecture + text)
      Format: Multiple Choice. 5 points. 
    • Lecture Quiz #6: Nervous System:

      • Topics:
      5 Brain Regions: (Telencephalon, Di-, Mes-, Met-, Myel-) 
      Name the brain region that includes a specific cranial nerve nucleus or structure.
      8 Functional Categories  (see list, Suppl. p. 63 & slides): 
      Name the described functional category.
      12 Cranial Nerves:  Give the name and # of the described nerve; name the brain region that includes a specified C.N. nucleus.
      Format: Fill-in the blanks.  5 points (10 questions) 
    • Please note: A complete understanding of all of the above information is the STARTING POINT in your preparation for lecture Exam #3! 

      • DO NOT leave the mastery of these fundamentals to the last minute.
  •  Current, full size lecture slides and supplemental illustrations are on \\valhalla\biology 

    • Histogenesis of the Nervous System More Web Resources for Lecture Unit 3 N.S.
     
    Lecture
    Unit 2

    		Lecture Unit 2
      Lecture Unit 2 Quizzes:
      • Lecture Quiz # 3 =Date TBA (tentative date listed in syllabus)

        • Topics: Material covered from the start of Unit 2 (~4 lectures)
        Fertilization, Blastocyst, and Early Gastrulation in mammal (human)
        Format: Objective (Multiple choice, Fill-in the Blanks, etc.)
        Five Points toward Lecture course total points.
         
      • Lecture Quiz # 4 = Date TBA (tentative date listed in syllabus)

        • Topics: Lectures previous 4 lectures
        Gastrulation; Germ Layers; Early Neurulation. 
        Format: Objective (Multiple choice, Fill-in the Blanks, etc.)
        Five Points toward Lecture course total points.
     Web
    Sites 
    for
    Lecture
    Unit 2


















































     

    		 Web Resources on Lecture Unit 2 Topics: